Demonstrators gathered outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana to rally in support of maintaining women's sports as female-only spaces. The group, which included female activists, mothers, and concerned citizens, voiced their opinions following recent controversies. Organizers stated the rally aimed to support professional athlete Sophie Cunningham and advocate for the preservation of women's sports.
The rally in Indiana was described as a contrast to protests in other cities, with attendees characterized as vocally supportive of the athletes. Many Indiana Fever fans reportedly offered thumbs-ups and encouraging words to the demonstrators.
Organizers emphasized the diverse composition of the group, stating it includes registered Democrats, conservatives, and individuals from various backgrounds, challenging characterizations of the movement as solely a conservative or MAGA coalition. Kara Dansky, a board member for Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, asserted that the majority of registered Democrats align on these issues and criticized elected officials for what she described as "selling out women and girls."
Dansky addressed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, urging a commitment to female-only sports. "There are girls watching today. There are girls that do not understand what Title IX meant in 1972 to women like you, who have benefited from Title IX. You owe these girls commitment to female only sports," she stated.
A group called LGB Courage Coalition also participated in the rally. Its executive director, Jamie Reid, a former employee at a pediatric gender center, spoke about her concerns regarding medical transitions for minors. Reid argued that the issue should be addressed from a medical evidence perspective rather than through league values, asserting there is insufficient medical evidence to support the transition of minors. "Most Americans know that [transitioning] kids is not right. This is a common sense American issue where Sophie Cunningham just said what we already knew in the Midwest," Reid said.
Social media influencer Becky Weiss also voiced her opposition to what she termed "extreme LGBTQ ideology, especially targeted at children." Weiss expressed support for Cunningham's stance, stating that women and girls deserve a fair playing field and that "Boys simply do not belong" in women's sports. She further commented, "There’s no such thing as a trans child. A kid only thinks they’re trans if someone grooms them, groomed them, or indoctrinated them to believe they are trans… Men don’t belong in women’s bathrooms, in women’s sports, in women’s locker rooms."
Rally organizer Amy Sousa expressed hope that the pressure from these demonstrations would prompt the WNBA to "stand up and do the right thing" by affirming that the league is for females only. The demonstrators plan to continue organizing across the country to advocate for their position on women's sports and spaces.